So far 2016 has been a year full of retirements. Koby, Tim Duncan, Peyton Manning and, now, another legend in Alex Rodriguez. The 41-year-old made the decision to not finish the season and have his last game be Friday against the Rays at Yankee Stadium.
Although Alex missed the entire 2014 season because of performance-enhancing drugs. He had an extraordinary year in 2015, his 33 home runs last season was the sixth-most in MLB history for a player 39, or older. With close to 11,000 at bats he is batting a career .295 with a .380 on base percentage. He also has 696 home runs, just four away from joining the 700 club. He also has 3114 hits and 2085 runs batted in. He is arguably one of the best players of all time despite using PED's.
With all of the media on Alex in the last week, the main question was why Girardi wasn't starting Alex or allowing him to play third base. When A-Rod asked if he could start on Friday against the Rays at third, Girardi denied his request and informed him that he would DH. So that's exactly what happened. Alex started the game batting third, and he tied the game in the first inning with an RBI double after CC Sabathia gave up a home run in the top of the third. He finished the night going 1-4, and he got to enter the game at third base in the top of the ninth. He was taken out of the game with one out, and as the crowd screamed to keep him in they also cheered for him and gave him the applause that was well deserved.
A few years back, Alex Rodriguez was hated for the mistake he made. Yes, he may up used PEDs, but he made a huge contribution to baseball and did so much for the game. If you ever played any baseball game or any video game, it was obvious that you wanted Alex Rodriguez on your roster. He will never be forgotten and played a substantial role in the Yankees success in previous years.
